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Pakistan govt allegedly imposes ban on Balochistan Human Rights Commission's website

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 12 May 2020

Pakistan govt allegedly imposes ban on Balochistan Human Rights Commission's website

Quetta: In yet another attempt by the Pakistani authority to curb down the Baloch voices, PM Imran Khan-led administration has imposed an indefinite ban on the official website of Human Rights Commission of Balochistan, media reports said.

HRCB claims itself to be a non-profit human rights organization.

It is operating in Balochistan region of the country.

HRCB has been actively working in Balochistan to collect information about the ongoing human rights abuses and report them to the international media and organizations, reported The Balochistan Post.

According to The Balochistan Post website, authorities have banned HRCB’s official website in Pakistan.

If attempted to access, the website states that: 'Surf Safely! The site you are trying to access contains content that is prohibited for viewership from within Pakistan,' reported the website. 

In an apprehensive tone, HRCB expressed their fear that after the unanticipated banning of their website, Pakistani authorities might target their 'volunteers and office-bearers who are living in the country,'  reported The Balochistan Post.

The newspaper said media restriction is not a new phenomenon in Balochistan.

The Balochistan Post claimed that its network is also banned in Pakistan.

The newspaper said some other media and human rights organizations are also banned in Pakistan.

Journalist bodies and rights group allege that 'Balochistan functions under abysmal media restrictions: public opinion is suppressed, political dissent is confronted with brute force and freedom of speech is curtailed,' reported The Balochistan Post.

An activist in the region said human rights abuses are mainstream in Balochistan.

Talking to TBP, a renowned activist from Balochistan on condition of anonymity said, “Human rights abuses are mainstream in Balochistan."